Range rod assembly



33-243 XR 3,195,234 SR v, R. D. GLIDDEN ETAL 3, 95,234

RANGE ROD ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 3, 1963 INVENTORS. ROGER D. GUDDEN CHARLESE. GLIDDEN United States Patent 3,195,234 RANGE ROI) ASSEMBLY Roger D.Glidden, 708 Betfyhill Ave., Duarte, Calif., and Charles E. Glidden,1233 Lyman Ave., Glendora, Calif. Filed Jan. 3, 1963, Scr. No. 249,25512 Claims. (Cl. 33-74) This invention relates to range rod devices andmore particularly to an improved self-supporting range rod assemblyfeaturing a simplified construction permitting wide range adjustment ofthe range rod proper relative to its support and incorporating a uniquetarget specially constructed for precision work when viewed from anyangle and whether located close to the surveyor or at a distant point.

Range rod devices have been proposed heretofore having a great varietyof designs and expedients for expediting the accurate location of apoint in the terrain as viewed from the sighting instrument. In generalthese require the presence of a rodman at the terrain point beinglocated and a second man at the sighting instrument. This has beenparticularly true as respects locations required to be viewed fromdifferent sighting stations owing to the importance of shifting therange rod target to lie normal to the line of sight as viewed from eachsighting station.

There have been numerous proposals for target designs to facilitatecentering of the instrument cross-hairs on the vertical center of thetarget. For the most part these have made use of different arrangementsof distinctively colored areas of the target lying to either side of thevertical and horizontal divider lines.

These various prior proposals and range rod constructions leave much tobe desired and are subject to various disadvantages and shortcomingssought to be obviated by the present invention. For example, the presentinvention makes use of a simple tripod support for the range rod properthereby avoiding the need for the presence of a rodman once the rod hasbeen properly set up. This rod utilizes a ball at its upper endjournaled on a low friction bearing mounted centrally of a shiftablesupporting plate. The latter is provided with an elongated slot for athumb screw clamping member threaded into a ring forming the head plateof the tripod. This ring has a large opening in its center permittingwide-range lateral shifting or adjustment of the range rod mounting.

A particular feature of the range rod is the provision of a readilydetachable target member having a vertically elongated ellipsoid mainbody and further characterized by its brilliant fluorescent hue and asmall diameter cylindrical extension projecting axially from its upperend. This target presents the same identical silhouette when viewed fromany angle and is so contoured as to make it feasible and convenient touse different portions of it depending upon the distance between thesurveying instrument and the target. Its distinctive brilliantfluorescent hue renders it sharply visible over distances consideredquite impractical for targets of prior design. The target is readilyremovable when not in use to avoid risk of damage to it. And thependulum-like lower end of the range rod is readily adjustable topresent its pointed end in closely spaced relation to the targetirrespective of the unevenness of the ground surface at the targetpoint.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providean improved range rod assembly exhibiting novel features and advantagesnot possessed by prior constructions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a self-supportingrange rod assembly particularly suitable for use by a one-man surveycrew and featuring a target having separate portions appropriatelydisposed for use depending upon the distance between the sightinginstrument and the range rod.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a high accuracyrange rod having a target presenting the same silhouette from alldirections and usable simultaneously with equal facility when viewedfrom angularly spaced apart sighting stations.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a range rod having atarget designed for precision use for both close and distant work andfeaturing a surface brilliantly and distinctively colored with the samecolor throughout its surface area.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a range rod assemblyhaving a readily detachable target provided with an elongated surface ofrevolution and additionally featuring a small diameter cylindricaltarget at its upper end.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a range rod assemblysupported adjustably on a tripod and utilizing a single clamping screwfor expediting centering of the lower end of the rod over a fixed pointin the terrain.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading thefollowing specification and claims and upon considering in connectiontherewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the invention range rod assemblyset up according to one typical mode of use;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the range rod assemblyaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tripod head assemblytaken along line 3-3 on FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken alongline 4-4 on FIGURE 3; and

FIGURES 5a, 5b, and 5c are representative views of the target per se asviewed through the sighting instrument of the surveyor and showing thetarget as it appears when viewed from different distances.

Referring more particularly to FIGURE 2, there is shown one preferredembodiment of a range rod assembly designated generally 10 embodying thefeatures and prin ciples of the present invention. This assemblyincludes a tripod having legs 11 pivotally connected at 12 to lugs 13carried on the underside of a head ring 14. The latter has a large areacentral opening 15 providing liberally for the adjustment of the rangerod unit proper designated 20 and extending vertically therethrough.This unit includes a universal socket connection 21 located centrally ofa plate 22 shiftable crosswise of head ring 14.

As is best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the adjustable plate 22 isgenerally egg-shaped in contour, its pointed end being provided with agenerally radially disposed elongated slot 23 receiving an adjustablethumb screw and clamping nut 24. Threaded shank 25 of the latter mateswith a threaded opening 26 formed in head ring 14. When thumb nut 24 isloosened plate 22 can be shifted in any direction laterally of the uppersurface of head member 14 and as found necessary to shift the pointedlower end of the range rod 20 over a prelocated point on the ground.Once the range rod has been properly centered in this manner thumb nut24 is tightened to lock clamping plate 22 in its adjusted position.

Range rod 20 comprises a tubular main body member 30 provided at itslower end with a suitable pendulunr weight 31. Adjustably supportedinteriorly of the lower end of tube 30 is a pointed rod 32 adapted to beclamped 3 in any axially adjusted position by a clamping nut 33 carriedby tube 30.

Mounted on the upper end of tube is a threaded sleeve 35 seating thereina hollow ball member 36 forming a part of the universal ball and socketjoint 21. The exterior lower end of ball 35 seats against a low frictionhearing such as the Teflon ring 38 bonded or otherwise secured in placein a shouldered opening 39 centrally of plate 22.

Demountably supported in the hollow upper end of tube 30 and of theuniversal joint 21 is the stem 41 of the target proper 40. Desirably,the main body 42 of this target is formed of substantially transparentpolyvinyl plastic material and impregnated with a brilliant fluorescentdye of a suitable color. Fluorescent dye known in the trade as areyellow has been particularly effective and cfhcient for being visiblefrom greater distances than other colors. It is to be understood,however, that other colors are visible with clarity from great distancesand may be used, orange having been found quite as effective as areyellow.

Desirably, main body 42 is contoured to present a surface of revolution,the general configuration illustrated in the drawing and described asgenerally ellipsoidal being a suitable example. Preferably the upper endis flat and normal to the major axis. Projecting therefrom is areinforced cylindrical extension 45 of the same plastic material andcolor as the main body. A reinforcing spindle of rigid material ispreferably provided centrally of extension 45 to reinforce and protectit against damage and deflection from its desired axial position. Thepurposes and mode of utilizing the specially contoured target 40 will bebest understood from a consideration of FIGURES 5a, 5b, and 5c, and thedetails of which will now be described.

According to one typical mode of using range rod assembly 10 andillustrated in FIGURE 1, a pair of identical assemblies are accuratelyset up and adjusted over spacedapart reference points A and B in theterrain each distant from another known point C over which aConventional surveyors sighting instrument is set up. The describedarrangement is easily handled by a one-man surveying party who thenproceeds to accurately locate and plot each of the distant points over;which the range rod assemblies 10, 10 are insalled. The identical rangerod assemblies are set up in turn, any necessary adjustments being madeat each to locate the respective pointed ends 32 of the range roddirectly over the points A and B. This having been done the operatoradjusts the sighting instrument 50 over the known point C making use ofplumb bob 51 for this purpose. This having been done he then trainstelescope 52 onto one of the target members 40 and selects the portionof the target best suited to provide the most accurate results takinginto consideration the distance between the sighting instrument and thetarget, viewing conditions and the like factors. Normally if thedistance between the target and the sighting instrument is relativelyshort, it is most convenient to employ only cylindrical portion 45 ofthe target. The surveyors field of view through the telescope,represented by the circle in FIGURES 5a, 5b, and 5c, is split verticallyby crosshair 53 and horizontally by crosshair 54. Assuming thatextension 45 is to be used, most surveyors would locate this portion ofthe target as shown in FIGURE 51: and would adjust their instrumentuntil the vertical crosshair 53 is deemed precisely to split thisportion of the target. When the instrument is so positioned the surveyorreads the scales on his instrument and makes proper entries in hislogbook.

If range rod assembly 10 is more distantly located, vertical extension45 of the target appears to diminish in size sutliciently to besubstantially concealed by the vertical crosshair and under theseconditions it is not feasible to adjust the instrument accurately. Underthese circumstances it is convenient to employ a larger diamctcr portionof the target, as, for example, the relatively small diameter upper endof main body 40. This mode of use is shown in FIGURE 5 wherein only theupper end of the target is visible above horizontal crosshair 54 andwherein it is a relatively easy matter for the surveyor to judge whenthis portion is vertically split by crosshair 53.

For still more distant readings, the wider or midportions of target 40are employed, the widest or thickest portion being used under maximumrange conditions, as is illustrated in FIGURE 511.

It is also to be pointed out that several sightings or triangulationreadings may be taken for each range rod setup, each being viewed from adifferent sighting point. These different readings may be obtainedsimultaneously if more than one surveyor and sighting instrument areavailable, or a single operator may proceed to set his sightinginstruments at the respective different locations and to take readingsat each without need for visiting the range rod setup. Owing to the factthat the surface of the target is a surface of revolution and theadditional fact that it is colored similarly throughout its surface, thetarget proper presents exactly the same silhouette and appearanceirrespective of the vantage point from which it is viewed.

When the readings have been completed or while transporting the rangerod from one location to another, it is a simple matter to demount thetarget unit 40 proper by simply lifting target 40 from its socketedsupport in the universal joint assembly 21 and to place it in a carryingcase or other suitable place of safe-keeping to avoid risk of damageuntilthe target is again needed and after the tripod assembly has beeninstalled at a new location. At that time it is a simple matter toreinstall the target in its socket mounting.

While the particular range rod assembly herein shown and described indetail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing theadvantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merelyillustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention andthat no limitations are intended to the details of construction ordesign herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A surveyors range rod assembly comprising an elongated rigid rod,means for pivotally supporting said rod pendulum fashion from its upperend with its axis disposed vertically, a .sighting target mounted onsaid rod having a surface of revolution centered about said verticalaxis and presenting an identical silhouette as viewed from any vantagepoint laterally of said target, said target including adjacent portionsof widely and abruptly differing cross-sectional areas transversely ofthe longitudinal axis of said target and lying normal to the axis ofsaid rigid rod, the portions of said target of larger crosssection beingsuitable for use to obtain accurate settings at relatively greatdistances from a sighting instrument and the smaller portions beingsuitable for sighting and obtaining accurate settings over shortdistances from the sighting instrument.

2. A surveyors range rod assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized inthat said sighting target includes an outer surface formed of plasticmaterial impregnated with "n fluorescent dye'rendering the same clearlyand sharply visible from substantially greater distances than ispossible using nonfiuorcscent coloring dye.

3. A surveying range rod target comprising an elongated main body havinga circular surface of revolution concentric with the longitudinal axisthereof and which surface of revolution varies in diameter between theoppositc ends thereof, and a slender cylindrical projection extendingaxially from the upper end of said main body to facilitate centering ofa sighting instrument crosshair vertically of said target, and means atthe lower end of said main body for supporting said target verticallyand centered over a fixed base point.

4. A range rod target as defined in claim 3 characterized in that atleast the outer portion of said main body is formed of clear plasticimpregnated with a translucent iluorescent-dyeof brilliant hue clearlyvisible froma distant vantage point.

5. A range rod target as defined in claim 3 characterized in that saidmain body tapers inwardly toward the opposite ends thereof from asection of maximum diameter near the midportion thereof.

6. A range rod target as defined in claim 5 characterized in that saidcylinder projection merges with the upper end of said main body at afiat surface lying normal to the axis of said target and effective inaiding the op erator of the sighting instrument in aligning and settingthe crosshairs of the sighting instrument on said target.

7. A range rod target as defined in claim 3 characterized in that saidtarget includes an elongated rigid reinforcing core centered therein andprojecting beyond both ends of said main body, the upper end of saidcore extending into said cylindrical extension and the lower end of saidcore being exposed and adapted to be socketed detachably in a tripodsupport therefor.

8. A range rod target as defined in claim 7 characterized in theprovision of a tripod having legs pivotally connected to a horizontallydisposed head assembly, and pendulum means pivotally socketed in saidhead assembly having an upwardly opening well for detachably seating thelower end of said target core.

9. A range rod target as defined in claim 8 characterized in that saidtripod head includes a base member having a large area opening centrallythereof, target support means freely shiftable across the surface ofsaid head, means on said support means for pivotally supporting saidtarget and pendulum means respectively above and below said plate means,and a single clamp holding said plate means adjustably secured to saidtripod head and for firmly clamping said plate means rigidly in anydesired adjusted position.

10. A surveyors range rod assembly comprising, tubular pendulum meanshaving a mass at the lower end thereof, vertically adjustable pointermeans mounted in the lower end of said pendulum means, universalsuspension means for the upper end of said pendulum means and having aspherical surfaced ball on the end thereof, said suspension means havingan axial passage in alignment with the axis of said pendulum means,target means having a mounting spindle projecting from the lower endthereof having a close sliding fit in said axial passage and serving tosupport said target spindle firmly but detachably therein, said targethaving a vertically elongated main body colored brilliantly withfluorescent dye, said main body having a circular surface of revolutionconcentric with said vertical axis and being larger at its midsectionthan at its opposite ends and enabling the instrument man to use theportion of said target which best serves accuracy and convenience. v

11. A range rod assembly as defined in claim 10 characterized in thatsaid fiuoroescent colored main body includes a cylindrical spindleprojecting axially from the upper end thereof and colored with afluorescent dye, said cylindrical spindle being adapted to serve as thetarget when said range rod assembly is in use relatively close to thesurveyors sighting instrument and being so small in diameter as to besubstantially masked by the vertical erosshair of the sightinginstrument when spaced more distantly from the sighting instrument.

12. A range rod and supporting tripod assembly comprising, a tripodhaving three legs pivoted at their upper ends to a connecting ringadapted to be supported horizontally in use, a readily adjustablesupporting plate for a range rod extending crosswise of the upper sideof said ring and having a flat lower surface resting against the uppersurface of said ring and freely shiftable from place to place thereon, asingle thumb nut means passing .through a slot in said ring seated in athreaded opening in said plate and effective to clamp said plate in anydesired adjusted position on said ring, said plate having a shoulderedopening centrally thereof fitted with a hearing ring, range rod meansextending through said shouldered opening and including an open-toppedthreaded tube adapted to seat a removable target therein and said tubehaving a. spherical enlargement on its upper end soeketed against saidbearing, the lower end of said range rod being pointed and adjustable toterminate in a plane closely adjacent the lower ends of said tripodlegs, and target means removably supported in said sphericalenlargement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,245,901 6/41Chaskin 33-74 2,306,939 12/42 Ferris 250--7l 2,467,733 4/49 Ehrenberg3374 2,571,287 10/51 Peters 33-216 2,755,555 7/56 Spaeder 33-742,904,890 9/59 Vajda 3374 FOREIGN PATENTS 58,785 9/91 ,Germany. 325,9204/35 Italy.

ISAAC LISANN, Primary Examiner.

1. A SURVEYOR''S RANGE ROD ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AN ELONGATED RIGID ROD,MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING SAID ROD PENDULUM FASHION FROM ITS UPPEREND WITH ITS AXIS DISPOSED VERTICALLY, A SIGHTING TARGET MOUNTED ON SAIDROD HAVING A SURFACE OF REVOLUTION CENTERED ABOUT SAID VERTICAL AXIS ANDPRESENTING AN IDENTICAL SILHOUETTE AS VIEWED FROM ANY VANTAGE POINTLATERALLY OF SAID TARGET, SAID TARGET INCLUDING ADJACENT PORTIONS OFWIDELY AND ABRUPTLY DIFFERING CROSS-SECTIONAL AREAS TRANSVERSELY OF THELONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID TARGET AND LYING NORMAL TO THE AXIS OF SAIDRIGID ROD, THE PORTIONS OF SAID TARGET OF LARGER CROSSSECTION BEINGSUITABLE FOR USE TO OBTAIN ACCURATE SETTINGS AT RELATIVELY GREATDISTANCES FROM A SIGHTING INSTRUMENT AND THE SMALLER PORTIONS BEINGSUITABLE FOR SIGHTING AND OBTAINING ACCURATE SETTINGS OVER SHORTDISTANCES FROM THE SIGHTING INSTRUMENT.